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The four main short works in this volume by Swedish theologian Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) form the basic foundation of his thought. They have commonly been published together in other editions under the collective title "The Four Doctrines."
The Lord discusses the nature of the man known as Jesus Christ, his divine nature, and the meaning of his crucifixion.
Sacred Scripture is about the Word, by which Swedenborg means the parts of the Bible that he feels reflect a deep spiritual teaching.
Life discusses how we ought to live a religious life.
Faith talks about faith as an acknowledgment of inner truth and the necessity of expressing such faith through good actions rather than simply holding beliefs.
In addition to these short works, the volume includes a fifth work, which consists of two supplements to previous works by Swedenborg: a brief addition to
Last Judgment and a longer addition to
Heaven and Hell.
About the author
Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) was a Swedish scientist, nobleman, and theologian who spent his life investigating the mysteries of the soul. Born in Stockholm to a staunchly Lutheran family, he graduated from the University of Uppsala and then traveled to England, Holland, France, and Germany to study with the leading scientists of the time. Between 1743 and 1745, he began to have visions of heaven, hell, and Jesus Christ, which resulted in a stream of books about the nature of God, the afterlife, and the inner meaning of the Bible. He devoted the last decades of his life to studying Scripture and presenting his own unique theology to the world.
